Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has introduced an innovative AI-powered monitoring system, “Amrita Elephant Watch,” to address the escalating human-wildlife conflicts, particularly involving elephants. Developed by Ammachi Labs, this cutting-edge technology aims to harmonize the relationship between humans and large wildlife.
The system employs real-time elephant tracking and AI-powered alerts to maintain a balance between human and animal needs. By using strategically placed surveillance cameras, the AI algorithms analyze video feeds, enabling accurate detection and tracking of elephant movements. The system is connected to mobile networks, providing instant alerts to farmers, landowners, and authorities about elephant movements, allowing them to take timely action to prevent conflicts.
Balu Mohandas Menon, Team Lead of Rural Technologies at Ammachi Labs, stated, “Our dedicated research team is focused on creating innovative technological solutions to tackle real-world challenges. Amrita Elephant Watch is a significant step towards wildlife conservation, protecting lives, and supporting livelihoods. We are excited to bring this technology to our communities and make a positive impact on the ecosystem.”
The development team, comprising Ayyappan Ajan, Ramakrishnan K., and B. Gokul Dev, led by Balu Mohandas Menon, successfully conducted pilot tests, where the system effectively captured real-time elephant movements and sent alerts to users. The university is now working to bring this technology to market.
Amrita Elephant Watch was recently showcased at the GPAI Summit 2023, earning acclaim from industry experts and policymakers. The project has also been recognized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) under its “AI in Agriculture (Addressing Human-Elephant Conflict in Villages)” initiative.
With Amrita Elephant Watch, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham continues to lead in leveraging technology for sustainable solutions, ensuring the safety of both humans and wildlife while fostering a more harmonious coexistence.
